About Barbara Weibel

After years of working at jobs that paid the bills but brought no joy, I felt like a "hole in the donut" - solid on the outside, but empty on the inside. In 2007, I decided to pursue my true passions of travel, writing, and photography. Find out how I changed my life HERE

Stroll Along the Malecon in Mazatlan, Mexico

Hundreds of years ago, Mazatlan, Mexico, was founded as a fishing village on the north bank of a natural inlet from the Sea of Cortez. Over time, the city expanded northward from the inlet, and the protected deep-water lagoon beyond the inlet grew into a major port that is today utilized by cargo and cruise ships, as well as an 800-strong commercial fishing fleet that provides much of the fresh shrimp and tuna consumed in Mexico. It is the strength of this fishing industry that has kept the economy of the city from becoming solely based on tourism. Here, visitors still find authentic Mexican culture, especially during a stroll along the Malecon in Mazatlan, a 6.7 kilometer (four mile) long beachfront promenade..

After investigating El Centro – the old town of Mazatlan I made a beeline for the Malecon. I began at Pescadero Beach (Fisherman’s Beach), where scores of gaily painted wooden fishing boats rested on the wide sand strip. Fishermen gather on the beach just before dawn each morning. Forming crews of six or eight, they help one another drag their simple boats across the sand and into the sea. By midday the boats are back with their fresh catch and boats are dragged back onto land. A simple metal axle with two wheels is pushed into the water and gradually shoved under the boat, allowing the crew to leverage the weight of the vessel and roll it back into its allotted slot.

I strolled along Pescadero Beach at midday, chatting up gnarled old fishermen with dark tans and faces deeply creased from too many years in the sun. What type of fish had they caught? “Dorado,” was the most common answer, although some showed me yellow-tail tuna and what appeared to be Red Snapper. The men nodded and smiled, demonstrating their talents at repairing nets and untangling fishing line. I shot a video of the final boat being dragged from the sea and asked one of the younger crew members what they had caught. “Ah, mucho Dorado,” he claimed. Lots of Dorado. The others laughed and shook their heads. “Pero manana,” he added. But tomorrow.

Can’t view the above slideshow of the fishermen on the Malecon in Mazatlan, Mexico? Click here.

Further south along the Malecon is a park, officially named Parque Glorieta Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada, but which the locals call “El Clavadista,” named for the cliff divers that perform here. Jumping from a high rocky promontory into a narrow channel of thrashing water that is no more than six feet deep, these divers must time their jump perfectly with the incoming waves. There are no signs at the park describing the dive performances and I never found it written up in any of the local tourist literature; I happened upon it quite by accident and initially stepped right over one of the young divers who was sprawled across the entryway to the tower, awaiting the next tour bus.

Eventually, from asking around I learned about the clavadistas and identified their ringleader, who offered to have one of his divers jump for the small sum of $25. I cried poor mouth – not a lie – and instead spent an hour chatting with him about the art of cliff diving. These young men receive no pay for their performance and exist on tips alone, mostly from the tour buses that arrive throughout the day, carrying cruise ship passengers on a three-hour tour of Mazatlan. When one of the buses pulled in, my new best friend motioned for me to stand at the edge of the cliff and ready my camcorder. At a nod from the jefe – the boss – one of the slouching young men stripped down to board shorts and climbed the tower. He stood for several moments at the top, shivering, stretching, and watching the waves roll in before stepping up onto the narrow rail and performing a perfect swan dive. I gave him $20 pesos (sightly less than $2 U.S.) and was on my way with effusive thanks to the jefe.

Can’t view the above slide show of the clavadistas (cliff divers) in Mazatlan, Mexico? Click here.

A long curve brought me into Olas Altas, a lovely neighborhood of oceanfront hotels, restaurants, and shops, beyond which lies Mazatlan’s historic old town, Art Museum, Archeological Museum, and Angela Peralta Theater. Although Mazatlan’s best beaches are found farther north, in the touristy “Golden Zone,” Olas Altas Beach is an enchanting crescent that glows pink in the rising and setting sun.

Olas Altas neighborhood along the Malecon in Mazatlan

Olas Altas Beach and the Malecon in Mazatlan

Paseo Centenario along the southern portion of the Malecon in Mazatlan

Following a late lunch at El Cueva de Leon, where nothing is more than $50 pesos ($4 U.S.) and the fresh-caught seafood is delicious, I continued my stroll along the Malecon. The final stretch climbs through Paseo Centenario, with its stunning clifftop views, to the southernmost point where El Faro – Mazatlan’s lighthouse – hunkers atop the conical hill that guards the harbor entrance. The dirt and rock path up the hill is well trod but steep; just when I thought I was nearing the top I came to 300 concrete steps that negotiated the steepest part of the trail. At a height of 157 meters above sea level, El Faro is considered to be the highest natural lighthouse in the world. Its light reaches 30 nautical miles and the views from the top are spectacular.

The Malecon in Mazatlan is best experienced on foot, however those who cannot or do not wish to walk can see its sights aboard a Pulmonia. Built on old Volkswagen chassis, these open-air carts are unique to Mazatlan, having carried locals and visitors around the city since they first appeared in 1965.View Google Map

14 Comments on “Stroll Along the Malecon in Mazatlan, Mexico”

Can you please tell me the name of the big statue of the man and the smaller statue at the Diver’s Point in Mazatlan? I am trying to label some pics and can’t remember. Please e-mail me! Thank you so much!

I just discovered your blog from Nancy D. Like Nancy and Paul, we live in Mazatlan year-round. I enjoy your style of writing. It flows, and from what you wrote about things that I know, I’m going to enjoy following your trip and will find it believable.

I would like to offer one correction, however. IMO The best beaches are not up north in the crouded tourist areas. The best beach is Playa Norte, just north from where the fishing pangas pull in and south of Valentinos. It’s quite large and it’s the Mexican family beach. It’s not too popular with the tourists because it doesn’t have all of the showy stuff.

Buenos Dias Larry! If I am correct, this is the beach where I had lunch with Nancy and Paul and I agree with you that it is a lovely stretch of beach, especially since you can retire to one of the many palapa restaurants that line it during the midday heat. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. If I ever get back to Mazatlan I’ll give you a shout.

Hi Denise: In old town, on either Serdan Street or Benito Juarez (can’t remember which, but they’re parallel streets a block apart), near the corner of Simon Bolivar, there’s a whole block of fishermen’s families who sell fresh catch from big blue tubs every day, all day. You can get a poud of fresh shrimp for about $4 U.S.

Awesome!!!! I have been to Mazatlan for the past two spreak break’s and I am headed back March 13 for another week. I am very interested in if you bought the fresh fish and seafood and took it somewhere to have it prepared or if you went to a resturant near the Market. I love seafood, but most of the places we have been to eat the seafood was expense other than Joes Oyster bar! Your pictures brought back some great memories! Thanks Francisco!!

Thanks for your walk along the coast, I love rocky coast lines like this & those cliff divers were cool – hope they never misjudge and hit the rocks. Like your little videos – should put your web address on them though.

Buenas dias Barbara! So glad to visit your awesome writing, photography, and videos. I feel like I’m actually traveling with you….from Atlanta to Phoenix to Mazatlan! I’m so glad you had some great sleep at the hotel and are fitting into your traveling skin so well. I enjoyed all of the Dorado catching! If I were you I’d sit down with one of the fishermen and cook it right there on the spot. There’s nothing like fresh fish! That’s coming from a lady who loves to catch fish, clean fish, and eat fish. 🙂

Hi Christine: Now I’m going to make you really jealous. Fresh shrimp right off the boat is less than $4 per pound. I’ve had fresh seafood every night, prepared in spicy red sauce, garlic sauce, a trio of different sauces, and a delicious cilantro and butter smothered Dorado that was to die for. Thanks so much for reading along and leaving a comment. It’s a good thing I’m doing s much walking!

Sonya – thanks to you for stopping by and Fida – as usual, you flatter me, but I do so love it when you gush over my writing.